“Master Tang, Young Master Tang.” Someone recognized the new arrivals and called out respectfully at once.

“Master Tang, Young Master Tang.” The other people in the crowd, seeing this, stepped back half a pace, clearing a path.

Half the day had already passed, and the crowd in front of the pharmacy had only grown, the line now stretching out into the street.

Xiao Yingtao, who had been busy all morning, had just finished her midday meal when she stepped out and saw the two men approaching.

“Who are they?” Xiao Yingtao asked, brows lightly knitting.

One of the brothers stationed at the door jogged back to her. “Miss Xiao, this is the master of the Tang family and his son.”

He glanced back, then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “The Tang family is related by marriage to the Yue family. This Master Tang is Yue Jianfei’s father-in-law. I’ve heard he also has trouble with his legs.”

“Good. Follow the usual procedure — let him into the main hall. I’ll go find Jiu’er and explain the situation,” Xiao Yingtao said, nodding.

“Yes.” The brother bowed his head.

Xiao Yingtao turned and strode back inside.

There were many people in the courtyard. With free consultations today, and word of a miracle doctor spreading, everyone figured they might as well come and see for themselves. Fortunately, a few large trees in the courtyard blocked the sun, sparing the crowd from baking under the midday heat.

Not long after Xiao Yingtao went in, the two Tang men, escorted by their four guards, arrived in front of the main hall.

“May I ask what condition you’re here for?” the brother guarding the main hall asked.

Inside, behind the screen, Xiao Yingtao poked her head out to look, then ducked back in. “Jiu’er, they’re here.”

“My young master wishes to see the miracle doctor. Please lead the way!” one of the guards said in a deep voice.

“My apologies. Our deputy hall master doesn’t take consultations lightly,” the brother replied, neither servile nor defiant. “May I ask whether the old master is here about his legs, or—”

“You—” The guard glared at the brother who had spoken.

“Do you even know who our master is?” another guard said, glaring as well. “You people must be outsiders, not even recognizing our master. And you call this place a miracle doctor’s clinic — more like a quack’s!”

Before the blocking brother could respond, the young master pushing the wheelchair gave a light cough. Both guards turned at once, then lowered their heads.

The young master looked toward the screen in the middle and said quietly, “I’ve heard a miracle doctor has come to Yuecheng. Might the miracle doctor be inside?”

His voice was pleasant enough, and he carried himself with composure and courtesy even toward an unknown physician in this remote town — his manner was rather refined.

What mattered more was that Feng Jiu’er had already learned from Xiao Yingtao that this old Master Tang was Yue Jianfei’s father-in-law. If that was true, the Tang family might well be the bridge connecting them to the Yue family — how could she not pay attention to the two men outside?

“I’m nothing more than an ordinary physician. I don’t deserve the title of miracle doctor,” Feng Jiu’er said, stepping out from behind the screen to stand before them.

She wore pale blue robes today, her hair styled into a composed yet not overly formal arrangement — mature, yet with a touch of playfulness. Petite as she was, she carried an inexhaustible presence. Wherever Feng Jiu’er went, her stunning features made her stand apart. Fine, delicate features, fair skin, and most striking of all, a pair of bright, lively eyes — innocent and clear, yet seeming to see straight through everything.

Word had already spread that a miracle doctor had arrived at Longying Pharmacy, but those fortunate enough to actually lay eyes on Feng Jiu’er were only the common folk now gathered in the courtyard. Her breathtaking beauty drew the gaze of every onlooker, man and woman alike, none able to resist a second look.

In most people’s minds, a miracle doctor was usually an elderly man. Who would have guessed that a girl of sixteen or seventeen, looking like a celestial being, would be the one?

“You — are you the miracle doctor?” the young master asked after studying Feng Jiu’er for a long moment.

Feng Jiu’er met his gaze and cupped her hands in greeting. “I am Long Jiu’er, deputy hall master of Longying and the head physician of Longying Pharmacy. How may I help you?”

The young master let go of the wheelchair and cupped his hands toward Feng Jiu’er. “I am Tang Rong. Hearing that a miracle doctor had come to Longying Pharmacy, I brought my father here especially to see. I wonder, Miss Long, if it would be convenient for you to personally examine my father? Payment will not be an issue.”

The brother who had followed behind stepped between Feng Jiu’er and Tang Rong, looking toward her. “Miss Jiu’er, the Tang family has long supported our medicinal herb business. If it’s convenient, please see to Master Tang.”

“Very well. Come in,” Feng Jiu’er said, nodding. “We’re running a business here — there’s no reason to turn away a customer.”

With that, she turned and walked back inside.

Tang Rong glanced at his men, then pushed his father’s wheelchair alone toward the screen at the center.

“They’re here?” Xiao Yingtao said anxiously, turning to follow Feng Jiu’er back inside.

Qiao Mu, who had been reading, set the book down and stood as the guests arrived.

Tang Rong brought his father in past the screen. Behind it, only the three women remained, along with the Tang father and son.

“Young Master Tang, I hear your family has gone out of their way to support our business. Allow me to thank you,” Feng Jiu’er said, cupping her hands before taking her seat.

“Xiao Yingtao, pour tea for Master Tang and Young Master Tang — chrysanthemum tea, I think. Young Master Tang’s voice sounds a little hoarse; he must have some excess heat in his system lately.”

“Yes.” Xiao Yingtao nodded and turned to go fetch it.

Tang Rong pushed his father’s wheelchair beside Feng Jiu’er, looking at her with the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

“Miss Long is impressive — able to judge a person’s condition just from their voice.”

“To be honest, half a month ago my father collapsed suddenly. Though he was treated in time and his life was saved, the lower half of his body still hasn’t regained its mobility. Since that day, he hasn’t been able to stand. These past weeks I’ve been searching everywhere for physicians — irregular meals, sleepless nights, a sore throat, and now this excess heat. But none of that matters.” Tang Rong took a deep breath, lowering his eyes to his father. “Miss Long, please, take a look at my father’s condition. As long as he can stand again, I won’t skimp on the payment.”

Feng Jiu’er nodded, took a cloth, and laid it over the old man’s legs. She gripped one of his legs and pressed firmly on two acupoints.

“Old master, does this kind of pressure hurt?” she asked gently.

“No,” the old man said, shaking his head.

“Can you feel my touch?” she asked again.

“Yes,” the old man replied with a nod.

“Good.” She moved her fingers to two other points. “And here? How does it feel?”

“Same as before — no pain at all, just the sensation of being touched.”

She tried several more spots, and the old man’s responses were nearly identical each time. The old man sighed again and again, as if he could see no hope left.